Following the huge success of Sanju moviegoers were excited to see Ranbir Kapoor and Rajkumar Hirani collaborate once more.

One of the most anticipated projects in the works was their next collaboration which was reportedly based on the life of an athlete. But the wait simply grew longer.

According to recent reports, the Ranbir movie has been shelved because Hirani has chosen to focus on another passion project a biopic about the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, in which Aamir Khan plays the lead.

As reported by Mid-Day, a source revealed the portal, “Hirani and Ranbir were very excited about this one; they had been jamming on it through the year. Hirani decided to park it. Ranbir’s calendar is packed, so it made sense to regroup later. Everyone wants it to be like Sanju, so they’re okay to wait.”

Who Was Dadasaheb Phalke?

Dadasaheb Phalke (1870–1944) is known as the father of Indian cinema. He directed India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), pioneering the country’s film industry.

He handled almost all aspects of filmmaking and often drew inspiration from Indian mythology and folklore. In his honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was established to recognise outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.

Aamir Khan’s Transformation for the Role

According to people familiar with the project, Aamir has already started to change.

“He’s growing out his look and will dive straight into workshops in December. This is the first time he’s playing a real-life pioneer of cinema, and Hirani wants to give it the grandeur it deserves,” the insider shared.

Rajkumar Hirani’s Vision for the Film

The director is reportedly planning to bring the story of India’s first filmmaker to life with his signature emotional depth and visual storytelling style, blending history and cinematic tribute.

When Will the Film Release?

The Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is expected to go on floors in January 2026, with a possible release date slated for late 2026 or early 2027 depending on the production schedule.